Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine
Acupuncture in Michigan
Over the years I’ve been in conversation with patients about “this or that” health condition. I’m always surprised when I hear people say, “but I’ve already seen my doctor for it.” Oftentimes people will follow this line up with something like, “There’s nothing else I can do.”
I beg to differ.
No, not all illnesses are cured by alternative medicine. I’m not here to try to convince you to get acupuncture for everything. But neither does Western medicine cure all ailments. [Read more…]
Our family recently moved to the West Bloomfield area and we’re enjoying our new neighborhood with lake access. I think the best tip I have is to get outside and enjoy our beautiful state!
I like to take advantage of the late sunsets and extended daylight by taking walks later in the evening and going to watch the sunset. I like to look at the landscaping in yards and the array of hydrangeas, hostas and all the blooming flowers. We live in such a beautiful state. To beat the heat, I make cooling drinks like cucumber water or watermelon gazpacho.
I try to enjoy EVERY SECOND of summer, but I really make sure to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Even if it’s just an evening walk around the neighborhood, I try to enjoy the scenery and beautiful environment before the colors change.
Our young family loves spending time near and in the water. Swimming, wading pool, splash parks, sprinklers … you name it, we’re there!
Find balance. Go outside, enjoy the fresh air, take a walk! Embrace each day as if it were the only one! Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude!
When I reflect on my journey to the present day, the word that comes to mind is trust. I trusted all along the way. I am the resident CranioSacral Therapist at MAAIM but I am so much more. I am a wife, mom, educator, vegetarian, ferocious reader, lover of bad jokes and overall happy human being. I have been with my husband for 25 years and am the mom to two brilliant, precocious, hilarious and kind hearted 4 years olds (yes, twins). Our family’s journey began where my passion for science started.
As I reflect back upon my 10 years of being an acupuncturist, I am in awe of all that I have learned. I have learned from my patients, from my additional training since my graduate school in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and I’ve learned from my teachers and colleagues. The theories of TCM have made a profound impact on my life.
When I started at the Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine, I was introduced to the theory of yin and yang which exemplifies the dualistic nature of all things. No one thing in life and in nature can exist without it’s exact opposite permeating it at some level. Hot cannot exist without cold, night cannot exist without day. It’s a simple concept but when applied to healthcare, is quite eye opening. In order for healing to occur, we have to balance the yin and yang of our own body!
My first formal office picture, in 2006
When I first started as an acupuncturist, I had the bright eyed innocence of a child. I thought EVERYTHING could be healed through TCM! [Read more…]
Receiving a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is very scary and confusing for many women, especially when trying to conceive. PCOS is a syndrome—this means one size does NOT fit all. Classically, women with PCOS were overweight, had inappropriate hair growth and did not menstruate regularly. However, many of the PCOS patients I see do NOT fit that description. Some women have insulin resistance, acne, irregular periods or cysts on their ovaries. Or not. Traditional treatment for PCOS involves birth control pills, blood sugar regulating medications, low carb diet and exercise. When trying to conceive, all of those options are great—with the exception of birth control pills! [Read more…]
I am proud to announce that I recently became a fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM), the first in the state of Michigan. The ABORM is a group of acupuncturists that have extensive experience in treating infertility and work together with Western medical practitioners to create a level of professionalism and excellence within the field. Many long-time ABORM members are the leaders in the community of Chinese medical reproductive medicine. The ABORM was created to set a standard of excellence in treatment of Chinese medicine and infertility. Fellows must acquire a specific amount of continuing education credits in Chinese reproductive medicine and at least 2 years of practice before being eligible to sit for the ABORM certification exam. Fellows are only inducted after passing this examination. [Read more…]
This testimonial is from a dear friend of mine. I like it because she details how I worked with her WHILE she was going through her western medicine treatments. What I have learned in my 9 years of practice is that there are times for western medicine, there are times for alternative medicine, and most of the time they support each other beautifully.
If you choose to come in for acupuncture, it does not mean you have to forego all western medical treatment. I, too, see a primary care doctor, an obgyn, a naturopathic doctor, etc. We are all a part of the picture of personalized and holistic care for you and your family.
“For those who know me, you know the past year and half of my life has been a very difficult time for me. My back was severely injured leading me to have three major back surgeries, including an anterior-posterior spinal fusion. I was left in massive amounts of pain with permanent nerve damage from my injury. During this time of surgeries and recovery I spent much of time my talking with Monica Mae Leibson, my close friend and also an excellent acupuncturist, alternative medicine, and Chinese herbal medicine specialist. During this year of immense physical and emotional stress Monica Mae Leibson was a huge support and helped beyond what I thought was possible. I went through many treatments of acupuncture, herbal remedies, teas, tinctures and vitamins recommended and given to me by Monica Mae Leibson. Not only did all of these things help greatly with my pain and nerve damage, they also helped me cope with the depression of having these surgeries. When I saw my surgeon one month after my spinal fusion he was completely amazed and astounded that my recovery was going so good and my bones were growing back quicker than he had ever seen before. I owe all of this to Monica Mae Leibson and her help with her incredible skill and knowledge with acupuncture, alternative medicine, and vitamins. I also struggle with depression and major anxiety issues. Monica Mae Leibson has been treating me for years with these problems as well and it has helped more than any other methods I have tried. Monica Mae Leibson is an extraordinary and remarkable acupuncturist and guru of alternative medicine. Monica’s expertise, professionalism, and tranquility will not only amaze you but it will also heal you in ways one might never thought was possible. I urge anyone who has any struggles, physically or mentally, to go see Monica Mae Leibson and get treatments. I assure you that you will be amazed at how wonderful and healed you can feel by these treatments and remedies.” – Emily S. from Livonia, MI
How does our pain and illness relate to life experiences?
Life is a constant change of events. From the time we are born through childhood and into adulthood, we go through numerous life experiences that shape us as the individuals we become. Some of these experiences are positive and some are not so pleasant.
Any life experience exposes us to energy. How this energy affects us and to what extent is determined by two factors – how resilient and strong we are verses how traumatic the experience is.
life experiences can be overwhelming at times and hard to process, especially at a young age. They can alter who we are as individuals, cause us to change the way we make decisions and prevent us from being true to our own nature.
Some of these emotions are passed on to us by our ancestors (and present for many generations in the family), some are due to traumatic events we have had to endure, and some are related to unresolved past issues.
A great deal has been written in ancient Chinese writings about emotions, and in the cases mentioned above, they are viewed as “demons” that can gain control of our lives. Internal and external “demons” are “parasite–like”; consuming our energy and prohibiting from us to be true to our heart. The energy associated with these “malicious demons” can contribute to disease.
There are specific techniques in acupuncture to help patients process these life events without digging in or dwelling in the past. By using specific acupuncture points at specific times, the treatment allows the body to let those “demons” go. In order for healing to be successful, such a process is essential. Without it, the “demons” will continue to harm the body.
It is written in the The Yellow Emperor’s book of Internal Medicine, (which is considered to be the doctrinal source of Chinese medicine)
“In order to make all acupuncture thorough, one must first cure the spirit.”
You are welcome to contact our office if you have any questions or make an appointment.
Eran Reznik – Dip. Ac. NCBTMB
Most of you probably know what Chinese animal you are from going to eat at Chinese restaurants… what does it mean? What do those animals represent and what is the connection between “what animal we are” and the reasons we are getting sick at times or experiencing life in a certain way? And how is it related to acupuncture?!
Parenting can be stressful, but it doesn’t always have to be.It is important to feel you have control of your household without overexerting yourself, or feeling like you are doing more work than anyone else in your home. Often I have found, that what is actually going on in our lives is less important than the level of control we feel that we have over the situation. Here are seven tips for less stressful parenting that have helped other families I have worked with, and hopefully will make things much easier for you too.
7 TIPS FOR LESS STRESSFUL PARENTING:
1. Avoid power struggles – Family problems often stem from everyone struggling for power within the household. Parents want to be in control of their children and the choices they make, while children want to be in control of their own choices. Children as young as [Read more…]
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